National Alpaca Week

1 – 9^th May

This is a golden opportunity to get up close and personal with Alpacas in the Victorian Central Region.

Below is a list of studs which will have their ‘gates open’ for anyone wanting to:

· learn more about this wonderful industry

· get up close and personal with alpacas including new born cria (babies)

· View a range of sale animals in the same geographical district

· Feel and purchase the wonderful products being made from this magnificent fibre, commonly referred to as “the fibre of the gods”.

· Learn how the Alpaca Industry is vertically integrated with its own manufacturing arm which is value adding, selling to the local market and exporting overseas.

participating Stud Locations (click on a location for details)
or refer to the listing below

Some studs are anticipating they may even have a birth whilst you are visiting !

The Studs below are listed in geographical order so that you can plan a full day visiting a number of studs.

Most Studs are in tourist areas so why not make a day of it.

For detailed directions – contact the Studs direct.

Area 1:

Ballarat Area – Napoleons & Miners Rest

Name: Philippa & Benoit Ernst

Stud Names: Windsong Valley Alpacas & Coricancha Alpaca Stud

Address: “Ledgers Park”, 325 Nine Mile Road Napoleons. 3352

Phone Nos: 03 5342 0111 0419 420 110

Email: alpacas@infoalpaca.com

Web: www.infoalpaca.com.

Days Open: Saturday 1^st & Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th & Sunday 9^th May.

What you will see and experience at Windsong Valley & Coricanchia Studs?.

· Animals for sale

· Educational talks every day open at 11am & 2pm on “Purchasing Alpacas & minimising the mistakes”

· Halter Training demonstrations.

Miners Rest:

Name: Shane Carey

Stud Names: Malakai Alpacas

Address: 17 Miners Rest Rd, Miners Rest

Phone Nos: 03 5343 2336 0409 270381

Email: malakai@vic.chariot.net.au

Web: www.malakai.com.au

Days Open: Saturday 1^st & Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th & Sunday 9^th May.

What you will see and experience at Malakai Alpacas.

· Talk to alpaca breeders

· Cria

· Alpacas up close

· Information on caring for alpacas

· Learn about embryo transfer & selection of breeding stock.

Area 2:

Bendigo Area - Harcourt North, Chewton & Elmore:

MillDuck, Dandura & Surtiera Alpaca Studs are all within easy travelling distance of each other (20 minutes) being located amongst many wineries and tourist destinations. Castlemaine, Bendigo & Maldon provide many options for a leisurely lunch before having a date with an alpaca.

Name: Prue Walduck & Ada Milley

Stud Name: MillDuck Alpaca Stud

Address: 143 Ford Road, Harcourt North 3453

Phone Nos: 03 5439 6451 0429 437781

Email: alpacas@millduck.com.au

Web: www.millduck.com.au

Days Open: Saturday 1^st & Sunday 2^nd May, Friday 7^th & Saturday 8^th May.

10am – 4pm. Other days by appointment

What you will see and experience at MillDuck Alpaca Stud:

· The sharing of 16 years experience on breeding, animal husbandry, fibre production and showing alpacas

· We specialise in breeding quality alpacas – all colours – whites, fawns, browns, blacks.

· Advice on how to enter this wonderful industry & establish your farm & stud

· White & Coloured alpacas for sale – show quality, starter packages, breeders & pets.

· Share your picnic lunch in the paddock with the curious alpacas

· Pat a new born cria (baby).

· Halter training, Toe nail trimming and vaccination demonstrations

· Pick our brains – we are very happy to share our knowledge and experience

· Tea & Coffee available whilst you watch a video on alpacas – under cover.

· Email for directions Vic Roads Map 44 – F8

MillDuck & Dandura Alpaca Studs are just 2 minutes apart & 80 minutes from Melbourne.

Name: Jenny & Keith McKenry

Stud Name: Dandura Alpacas

Address: 121 Fenton Drive, Harcourt North

Phone Nos: 03 5439 6525 0428 479 050

Email: alpacas@dandura.com

Web: www.dandura.com

Days Open: Sunday 2^nd May, Friday 7^th May.

Other days by appointment

What you will see and experience at Dandura Alpacas:

· Alpacas for sale – pets, breeders, starter packages at reasonable prices

· New born alpacas (cria)

· Information on caring for alpacas

· Information on breeding alpacas

· How to design an alpaca paddock.

Chewton (near Castlemaine)

Name: Glenda Bartlett

Stud Name: Surtierra Alpaca Stud

Address: 60 McCay Reservoir Rd, Chewton

Phone Nos: 03 547 05757 0427 262 466

Email: surtierra@bigpond.com

Web: www.surtierra-alpacas.com

Days Open: Saturday 1^st May through to Sunday 9^th May

What you will see and experience at Surtierra Alpaca Stud:

· Huacayas & Suris for sale

· Cria and the possibility of birthing

· Feeding the alpacas

· Alpaca products for sale

· Free information.

Surtierra Alpaca Stud is only 20 minutes from MillDuck and Dandura Alpaca Studs.

Elmore:

Name: Judith Mann

Stud Name: Carawa Downs Alpacas

Address: 3590 Northern Highway, Creek View, Elmore

Phone Nos: 03 5432 6000 0400 504 037

Email: jakdmann@megalink.com.au

Web: N/A

Days Open: Saturday 1^st, Sunday 2^nd May, Monday 3^rd, Wednesday 5th

What you will see and experience at Carawa Downs Alpacas:

· Shearing set-up

· Cria (baby alpacas)

· Animals for sale

· How to get started

· What to look for.

Carawa Downs, being on the other side of Bendigo from the cluster of Dandura, MillDuck & Surtiera Alpaca Studs is only ¾ hour away. It is realistic to visit all four studs having a late lunch or coffee in Bendigo.

Area 3:

Gisborne South, Newham (Hanging Rock) & Hesket:

Name: Trish & Bill Crookshanks

Stud Name: Harbison Alpacas

Address: 17 Harbison Lane, Gisborne South 3437

Phone Nos: 03 5428 1982 0419 180 968

Email: harbisonalpacas@bigpond.com

Web: Not Applicable

Days Open: Saturday 1^st & Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th May

What you will see and experience at Harbison Alpacas:

· Learn all about alpacas including nutrition & husbandry

· Handle and purchase fleece

· View Alpaca products

· Educational handouts for children.

Name: Andrew & Julien Nicolas

Stud Name: Camelot Alpacas

Address: 1427 Rochford Road, Newham (Hanging Rock)

Phone Nos: 03 5427 0165 0414 367 911

Email: nicolas@camelotalpacas.com.au

Web: www.camelotalpacas.com.au

Days Open: Saturday 1^st & Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th May

1 minute from Newham General Store (fantastic coffee & food), 2 minutes from Hanging Rock Reserve, 5 minutes from Mountain Alpacas, 8 minutes from Woodend.

What you will see and experience at Camelot Alpacas:

Make a day of it: visit Mountain Alpacas, climb Hanging Rock, eat at the Cafe and then visit Camelot Alpacas – or visit Hanging Rock Winery, eat at the Newham General Store, visit Camelot Alpacas, climb Hanging Rock, visit Mountain Alpacas.

· 18 years of alpaca breeding experience

· Quality white and coloured huacaya alpaca

· Stud females and potential young stud males for sale

Name: Jane Szigethy-Gyula

Stud Name: Mountain Alpacas

Address: 95 Straw’s Lane, Hesket

Phone Nos: 03 5427 0375

Email: janemountainalpaca@bigpond.com

Web: N/A

Days Open: Saturday 1^st & Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th May

Mid week by appointment.

Mountain Alpacas are only 5 minutes from Camelot Alpaca Stud - why not visit both?

What you will see and experience at Mountain Alpacas:

· Black alpaca specialists

· Insight into the pleasure of alpaca breeding

· Meet 120 Black Beauties, including Mums & Bubs

· Small selection of quality blacks to start you off or add to your herd.

· Wethers, fleece, garments for sale

· Tea & Coffee

· Under cover facilities

· Plus Hanging Rock and Camelot Alpaca Stud just down the road!

Area 4:

Kuyuga (Echuca Area):

Name: Cheryl & Mervan Hearn

Stud Name: Chersam Alpacas

Address: 1010 O’Dea Road, Kuyuga Victoria 3622

Phone Nos: 03 58592 357 0419 813 614

Email: sam.hearn@bigpond.com

Web: Not Applicable

Days Open: Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th May, Sunday 9^th May

What you will see and experience at Chersam Alpacas:

· Display of Alpacas – males and progeny

· Information video on Alpacas

· Some Art and products for sale

· Occasional Spinning demonstrations

· Huacaya & Suri Fleece display

· Shearing table demonstration

· Wethers for sheep guarding available

· All alpaca information available

· Tea & Coffee

Area 5:

Thoona, Merton, Ruffy, Strathbogie

Name: Peter & Robyn Harris

Stud Name: Thoona Alpacas

Address: 462 Sammon Road, Thoona Victoria 3726

Phone Nos: 03 5765 2396 0428 548 124

Email: alpacas@thoonaalpacas.com.au

Web: www.thoonaalpacas.com.au

Days Open: Saturday 1^st May through to Sunday 9^th May

What you will see and experience at Thoona Alpacas:

· learn about all facets of farming alpacas.

· Meet our herd of over 130 alpacas of all ages

· Maybe even witness a birth!

· Alpacas and alpaca products will be on view and for sale - something for everyone !

Name: Alfons Steiner

Stud Name: Highfields Alpacas

Address: 54 Penny Lane, Merton

Phone Nos: 03 5778 9674 0417 539 725

Email: alfons@highfields.net.au

Web: www.highfields.net.au

Days Open: Sunday 2^nd May, Sunday 9^th May

What you will see and experience at Highfields Alpacas:

· A typical day on an Alpaca Farm (ie demo on toe-nail trimming, injections etc)

· Experience Alpacas face to face.

Name: Glen George

Stud Name: Parrindi Alpacas

Address: 134 Weibye Track, Ruffy

Phone Nos: 03 5790 4318 0448 043186

Email: parrindi@mcmedia.com.au

Web: www.parrindi.com.au

Days Open: Saturday 1^st May, Sunday 2^nd May, Saturday 8^th May, Sunday 9^th May

What you will see and experience at Parrindi Alpacas:

· Alpacas for sale – many with young cria

· Farm run on bio-dynamic principles

· Alpaca fleece yarn and products.

Name: Ian & Angela Preuss

Stud Name: Surilana Alpacas

Address: 571 Galls Gap Rd, Strathbogie

Phone Nos: 03 5790 5394 0407 931 789

Email: surilana@bigpond.com

Web: www.suris@surilana.com.au

Days Open: Saturday 8^th May, Sunday 9^th May

What you will see and experience at Surilana Alpacas:

· Australia’s largest suri stud with over 500 alpacas on farm

· Suri products and suri fleece.

- a at foot

- Pat a new bor